We provide quality ballet training that pulls from classical ballet tradition. Our curriculum is designed to prepare students for a wide variety of opportunities within the dance and artistic world, providing dancers with sound technique and movement patterns that promote injury-free dancing.
2025-2026 Season Dates
Please Note: We will be at our New Location – 65 Sunderland Road – for the 2025-2026 season.
Season Starts on September 15, 2025
Season Ends on June 13, 2026
Amherst ballet will be closed on the following dates:
Thanksgiving Break – November 24-29
Winter Break – December 15-January 5
February Break – February 16-22
April Break – April 20-26
Memorial Day – May 23-25
Please note that all tuition rates listed are for the full academic year. We strive to be as flexible as possible. Minimum semester commitments are required.
Scholarship Program
Amherst Ballet is committed to providing quality dance education to all students, regardless of their financial circumstances. We offer scholarships to students who demonstrate financial need and a passion for dance. Our scholarship program is funded by generous donors and supporters who believe in our mission.
If you are interested, please reach out to us at info@amherstballet.org.
Enrolled Classes
Class descriptions below are a guideline only. All placements are at director’s discretion. Please email info@amherstballet.org to schedule a placement class.
NEW
Creative Movement Class: Ages 4-5
Mondays 5:30-6:30
Tuition: $600/year
A joyful introduction to dance and music for our youngest movers, this class invites children into a playful and encouraging space where creativity and self-expression are nurtured. Through imaginative games and improvisation, dancers explore the building blocks of movement and sound—direction, level, tempo, rhythm, texture, melody, and shape—while developing strength, flexibility, coordination, and body awareness. Guided partner work fosters connection and collaboration, while thoughtful attention is given to cultivating respect for self, others, and the studio. This class lays a strong foundation for a lifelong love of movement and the arts.
This class is a collaboration between Mikayla Archambeau, dancer, and Anthony Tracia, elementary music educator.
Dancers who attend classes consistently during the semester are invited to participate in that semester’s performance.
| Level I | 1 class per week – Monday 4:30 – 5:30 PM, Friday 4:30 – 5:30 PM Tuition: $600/year Level 1 is designed for young beginners. We will cover foundational concepts of ballet, including turnout, positions of the arms and feet, and stage orientation. We will also develop comfort with the basic steps of ballet, including a simple barre and moving in various patterns around the room using structured movement. This class meets once per week and is eligible for the Spring Show. No training required. Recommended for ages 6-8. |
| Level II | Minimum 2 classes per week – Monday 4:30 – 5:30 PM, Tuesday 4:30 – 6:00 PM, Friday 4:30 – 5:30 PM Tuition: $1200/year This class is for students with at least 1 year of classical ballet technique. Students will continue to develop strength and flexibility while expanding their ballet vocabulary. We will refine basic barre exercises and add center exercises. By the end of the year, students will be able to perform a simple bare with fluidity and elegance, and will be able to complete tendues, simple adagio, waltz, and simple jumps in center. This level is required to take 2 classes per week, but may take 3 if desired. 1 year of training required. |
| Level III | Tuesday 4:30 – 6:00 PM, Thursday 4:30 – 6 PM, Friday 5:30 – 7:00 PM, Saturday 11:30 – 1:00 PM Tuition: $1800/year This class is for students with at least 2 years of classical ballet technique. Students are expected to already be comfortable with a full barre as well as basic adagio, waltz, and jumps in center. We will work on developing comfort with more complex combinations at the barre, including positions of the body and incorporating port de bras. In center, we will work on developing stability working on one leg, as well as introduce simple turns and jumps on one leg. Students in this level are required to take 2 classes per week, and may take 3 if desired. 2 years of training required. |
| Level IV | Tuesday 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Thursday 4:30 – 6:00 PM, Friday 5:30 – 7:00 PM, Saturday 11:30 – 1:00 PM Tuition: $2400/year This class is for students with at least 3 years of classical ballet training. Students are expected to enter the class with full command of all barre exercises, including using port des bras and body positions, and good working knowledge of center exercises. Students should have good control of turnout and the strength and flexibility to complete basic center exercises including work on one leg with composure. We will prepare for advanced training by developing full comfort with all exercises at barre and center, including usage of port des bras and positions of the body. The goal of this level is to develop coordination and fluidity with all basic exercises, including turns and simple petit and grande allegro, so that students are prepared to begin work on more advanced skills, standard repertoire, and pointe work. Students are required to take at least 3 classes per week, but encouraged to take 4. Students in this level are eligible for additional performance opportunities, and must attend Sunday classes as well as an additional 90 minute rehearsal period following class on Sunday to be invited to perform. 3 years of training required. |
| Advanced | Tuesday 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Thursday 6:00 – 7:30 PM, Friday 7:00 – 8:30 PM, Saturday 11:30 – 1:00 PM Pointe Technique – Tuesday 8:00 – 9:00 PM Repertoire – TBD Tuition: $2800/year This class is for students with at least 4 years of classical ballet training, and who have a strong command of all barre and center exercises, including usage of port des bras and positions of the body. Dancers in this level will begin or continue pointe technique. We will develop fluidity and elegance as well as style, and develop confidence with multiple turns and batterie. Dancers in this level are eligible for additional performance opportunities, and must attend Sunday rehearsals in order to participate in those performances. Dancers are required to take at least 3 classes per week, but are encouraged to take up to 5, as well as additional pointe technique, partnering, and repertoire classes. 4 years of training required. |
Drop-In Classes
| Adult Open Level | Wednesday 8:00 – 9:20 AM; Saturday 10:00 – 11:30 AM Tuition: $20/lesson or $180/10 lessons (Drop-In Only) This class is designed for adults of all ages who have had some previous instruction in ballet, or for those who may have danced in the past and are interested in starting to dance again after some time away. Students will move through traditional barre and center exercises, practicing various positions of the head, arms, and lower body, and working on jumps, turns, and a gradually expanding repertoire of more complex steps in the center. An emphasis will be placed on learning safe and correct posture and alignment, internalizing corrections, and using ballet as a means to challenge yourself while moving your body in a fun and supportive environment. |
| Adult Int/Adv |
Monday 7:00 – 8:30 PM Tuition: $20/lesson or $180/10 lessons (Drop-In Only) |
Registration
Enrolled classes
- The school holds the right to cancel classes if the enrollment is too low.
- The tuition amount is for the whole season unless otherwise noted. Various payment options, including monthly ones, are available. Scholarships are available for those in need. Contact info@amherstballet.org to discuss your options.
- There is a 3% discount if paid in full by September 11.
- A second child in a family receives a 5% discount and a third and fourth children 10% and 15% respectively.
Drop-in Classes
- Discounted 10 class cards are available for drop-in classes.
- Dancers will sign the participant waiver and release of liability form at their first class.
- Scholarships are available for those in need. Contact info@amherstballet.org to discuss your options.
Dress Code
Enrolled Classes
- Solid color leotard with pink or flesh toned tights OR form fitting solid colored dance shirt and opaque black tights made for dance. Ballet slippers must match tight color.
- Long hair must be securely fastened in a bun. No bangs in eyes. Hair too short to be put into a bun must be secured back away from face.
- Skirts or shorts above the knee may be worn for pointe and variations, however instructor may require students to remove them at any time.
- Warmups may not be worn during class.
- Jewelry may be worn but cannot interfere with movement or pose a risk to students. Stud earrings, small necklaces, and small rings are acceptable. Teachers may ask students to remove jewelry if they determine it poses a risk.
- If glasses are worn, they must be secured with a strap to prevent them from flying off when turning or jumping.
- Dancers with external genitals must wear a dance belt.
Drop-In Classes
- Ballet slippers, comfortable clothes for exercise.